Natural Heritage

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources describes natural heritage as including geological features and landforms; associated terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; their plant species, populations and communities; and all native animal species, their habitats and sustaining environment. Natural heritage features may be determined to have ecological significance at a provincial, regional or local level. Significant natural heritage features can be targetted for protection and/or management to ensure the sustainability of that feature and its contribution to the overall biodiversity of the larger landscape.

Some of the general natural heritage features that are of ecological importance are wetlands, forests, unique habitats and aquatic habitats.